The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 12, 1998
Honda of America Mfg., Inc., Marysville, OH (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for testing leaks in a compressed natural gas fuel system on an assembly line. The apparatus includes a filling receptacle, a filling conduit, a fuel tank assembly, a supply conduit, a pressure regulating assembly, and a joint box. The filling conduit extends between the filling receptacle and the fuel tank assembly. The supply conduit extends between the fuel tank assembly and the pressure regulating assembly. The joint box includes a valve which regulates fluid communication between the filling conduit and the supply conduit. In the method according to the present invention, the tank assembly is fluidly isolated from the remainder of the fuel system and the filling conduit and supply conduit are fluidly connected, by opening the joint box valve, to permit pressurization and leak detection of a first portion of the fuel system. Thereafter, the joint box valve is closed to isolate the filling conduit from the supply conduit, and the pressure regulating assembly is activated to pressurize a second portion of the fuel system for leak detection purposes.